US20120252290A1

US20120252290A1 - Aquatic life-saving capsule

Info

Publication number: US20120252290A1
Application number: US13/511,516
Authority: US
Inventors: Jae Won Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-06-23
Filing date: 2011-06-23
Publication date: 2012-10-04
Also published as: WO2011162485A2; WO2011162485A3; KR101006677B1

Abstract

Provided is an aquatic life-saving capsule including a capsule body including a waterproof compartment provided at a center thereof and having an upper portion opened. Here, when air is injected into the capsule body, the capsule body expands and becomes buoyant to allow a user in distress to board the waterproof compartment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention disclosure herein relates to an aquatic life-saving capsule, and more particularly, to an aquatic life-saving capsule which allows a survivor to wait a long period of time until rescued in aquatic distress by boarding the capsule which can cope with weather conditions, maintaining the survivor's body temperature.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a life-saving jacket or a life-saving tube is being used as a life-saving tool for preparing various aquatic accidents.
A life-saving jacket or a life-saving tube is a personal tool for saving life by which a drowning person's head can float over the water, thereby surviving emergent situations.
However, even though a life-saving jacket or a life-saving tube allows a drowning person to float over the water, they had a limitation in maintaining a drowning person's body temperature.
Accordingly, in a case where a drowning person is quickly rescued, there is no limitation. However, in a case where a drowning person has to stay in cold water for a long time due to a delay of rescue, the person may die from a rapid drop of the body temperature due to a low water temperature, which causes a hypothermia that leads the function of heart, brain, lung and other organs necessary for life to cease in turn.
Actually, it is known that the number of deaths by the hypothermia is larger than the number of deaths by drowning. Particularly, during winter season when the water temperature is low, the risk of hypothermia is still high even for a quickly rescued person since the person has to wait for a rescue in the water for at least a few minutes.
Also, there was a limitation in that when a rescue is being delayed, the life-saving jacket or life-saving tube described above cannot appropriately cope with not only hypothermia but also weather conditions such as high wind, storm, and sunlight during waiting for the rescue.
Furthermore, when a rescue is being delayed, it is necessary for a survivor to drink water periodically in order to prevent dehydration. However, there is no method for preventing dehydration.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problem

The present invention provides an aquatic life-saving capsule that allows a survivor to wait for a rescue while maintaining body temperature in aquatic distress.
The present invention also provides an aquatic life-saving capsule that allows a survivor to wait for a rescue while coping with weather conditions properly in aquatic distress.
The present invention also provides an aquatic life-saving capsule that allows a survivor to wait for a rescue while drinking water in aquatic distress.
The present invention also provides an aquatic life-saving capsule that allows a survivor to wait for a rescue while psychological stability is being offered by coping with body temperature preservation and weather conditions properly in aquatic distress.

Technical Solution

Embodiments of the present invention provide aquatic life-saving capsules including a capsule body including a waterproof compartment provided at a center thereof and having an upper portion opened, wherein when air is injected into the capsule body, the capsule body expands and becomes buoyant to allow a user in distress to board the waterproof compartment.
In some embodiments, the aquatic life-saving capsule may further include a capsule cover that covers the waterproof compartment and is coupled to the capsule body to open or close the waterproof compartment.
In other embodiments, the capsule body may include a bottom part and a side surface part that is coupled to the upper portion along an edge of the bottom to form the waterproof compartment together with the bottom.
In still other embodiments, the bottom part may include a bottom panel having a water pore formed therein and a center maintaining part coupled to a lower portion of the bottom panel to store water received through the water pore and thus keep a balance of the capsule body.
In even other embodiments, the center maintaining part may include: a center maintaining member coupled along an edge of the bottom panel to form an internal space; and a wire frame coupled to a portion of the center maintaining member to maintain a shape of the center maintaining member under water.
In yet other embodiments, the capsule body may be configured to expand when air is injected therein and have a diameter greater than an outer diameter of the side surface part and a boarding hole communicating with the waterproof compartment at a central portion, and the capsule body may further include a balance maintaining part coupled to the upper portion of the side surface part.
In further embodiments, the aquatic life-saving capsule may further include a wing part configured to expand when air is injected therein and coupled to an edge of the capsule body to maintain a balance of the capsule body.
In still further embodiments, the wing part may include a wing member coupled to the edge of the capsule body and a wing tube coupled to the wing member.
In even further embodiments, the capsule cover may include: a cover disposed to cover the waterproof; and a plurality of tube frames configured to expand when air is injected therein and attached to the cover while being spaced from each other, both ends of the tube frames being coupled to each other at both ends of a center of the cover, respectively, wherein the both ends of the tube frames are pivotably coupled to an outer circumference of the balance maintaining part, and open or close the waterproof compartment according to a pivoting direction
In much further embodiments, the aquatic life-saving capsule may further include at least one coupling unit on a portion where the capsule cover contacts the capsule body, wherein the coupling unit couples the capsule cover to the capsule body.
In still much further embodiments, the aquatic life-saving capsule may further include: a life-saving jacket including a connector for the life-saving jacket and a receiving part in which the capsule body and the capsule cover deflated are foldably received; and a connector unit including a connector disposed in plurality at an upper portion of the capsule body, at least one of the connectors being coupled to the connector for the life-saving jacket.
In even much further embodiments, the connector of the connector unit may include at least one pair of male and female.
In yet much further embodiments, the aquatic life-saving capsule may further include: a window disposed in the capsule cover to allow a user to observe the outside from the inside; and a cover screen for selectively covering the window.
In yet much further embodiments, the aquatic life-saving capsule may further include: an open/close hole disposed in the capsule cover to receive rainwater in rainy weather; and a drinkable water storing unit disposed at a lower portion of the capsule cover to store rainwater flowing in through the open/close hole.

Technical Effects

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an aquatic life-saving capsule which allows a survivor to wait for a rescue while maintaining the body temperature in aquatic distress can be provided.
Also, an aquatic life-saving capsule which allows a survivor to wait for a rescue while coping with weather conditions properly in aquatic distress can be provided.
Also, an aquatic life-saving capsule which allows a survivor to wait for a rescue while drinking water in aquatic distress can be provided.
Also, an aquatic life-saving capsule which allows a survivor to wait for a rescue while psychological stability is being provided by properly coping with body temperature preservation and weather conditions in aquatic distress can be offered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an aquatic life-saving capsule according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the bottom of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a capsule cover shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a magnified view of ‘A’ shown in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views illustrating the use of an aquatic life-saving capsule according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be constructed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.
Hereinafter, an aquatic life-saving capsule according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an aquatic life-saving capsule according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an aquatic life-saving capsule 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a capsule body 10, a capsule cover 20, a connector unit 30, and wing part 50.
Here, the capsule body 10 and the capsule cover 20 may be formed of waterproof materials such that they may expand to become buoyant when injected with air.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the capsule body 10 described above may include a bottom part 11, a side surface part 12, and a balance maintaining part 14. The respective components may include a certain air nipple (not shown) in order to fill the inside with air.
The side surface part 12 may have a certain thickness in which an outer skin 12 a and an inner skin 12 b are coupled to each other, and may become buoyant by expanding and plugging the air nipple when air is injected therein.
Also, the side surface part 12 may have a plurality of horizontal wrinkles and vertical wrinkles with an outer skin and an inner skin contacting to each other through a certain adhesive material or a bonding material.
Thus, the capsule body 10 may not be easily deformed by the water pressure even when being placed in the water. The capsule body 10 is shown as having horizontal wrinkles in FIG. 2.
Since the side surface part 12 is longitudinally formed in a vertical direction and is coupled along the edge of the bottom part 11 described below, the side surface part 12 may form a waterproof compartment 13 which a survivor can board when air is injected therein together with the bottom part 11.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the bottom of FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 3, the bottom part 11 described above may include a bottom panel 110 and a center maintaining part 111.
The bottom panel 110, on which a survivor may step when boarding a capsule, may be formed of a certain plastic material, and may have a substantially circular shape. A plurality of water pores 110 a may be formed therein.
The center maintaining part 111 may be formed of the same materials as the outer skin or the inner skin of the side surface part 12, and may include a center maintaining member 111 a and a wire frame 11 lb coupled to the center maintaining member 111 a and maintaining the shape of the center maintaining member 111 a when unfolded under water.
That is, when a survivor boards on the capsule body 10 in the water, the survivor may board the capsule body 10 by stepping on the bottom panel 110. At this point, the survivor may manually pour water into the center maintaining part 111 or the water may naturally flow into the center maintaining part 111. Thus, the center maintaining part 111 may serve as ballast for allowing the capsule body 10 to maintain its balance in the water.
Also, the center maintaining member 111 a may be maintained at an unfolded state by the wire frame 111 b, which may increase the length of the capsule body 10 in the vertical direction in the water, enabling the capsule body 10 to maintain a stable posture.
The balance maintaining part 14, which is a tube having a boarding hole 14 a at a center portion, may expand and plug the air nipple to become buoyant when air is injected therein, and may be coupled to the upper portion of the side surface part 12 described above.
In this case, the boarding hole 14 a and the waterproof compartment 13 may be coupled to communicate with each other such that a survivor can board the waterproof compartment 13 from the upper portion.
Also, the outer diameter (D) of the balance maintaining part 14 may be formed larger than the outer diameter (D) of the side surface part 12. Thus, when a survivor boards the waterproof compartment 13, the waterproof compartment 13 which is longitudinally placed in the vertical direction under water may be prevented from rocking in the horizontal direction due to external factors as storm, and may be maintained at the balanced state. Subsequently, a shock applied to the survivor in the waterproof compartment 13 by external factors may be absorbed.
As described above, since the waterproof compartment 13 is isolated from the outside even when the capsule body 10 is in the water, a survivor in the waterproof compartment 13 can maintain his/her body temperature.
Also, since the insides of the bottom part 11, the side surface part 12, and the balance maintaining part 14 are communicated with each other, all of the bottom part 11, the side surface part 12, and the balance maintaining part 14 may expand at the same time when one of the bottom part 11, the side surface part 12, and the balance maintaining part 14 is filled with air. However, the bottom part 11, the side surface part 12, and the balance maintaining part 14 may be separately formed for safety.
That is, when the bottom part 11, the side surface part 12, and the balance maintaining part 14 are separately formed, although one of the bottom part 11, the side surface part 12, and the balance maintaining part 14 is deflated, the safety of a survivor can be ensured.
On the other hand, a wing part 50 may be further provided on the outside of the capsule body 10. The wing part 50 may include a wing member 51 and a wing tube 50 to maintain the balance of the capsule body 10 together with the balance maintaining part 14 and thus prevent the capsizal of the capsule.
The wing member 51 may be formed of the same materials as the side surface part 12, and may be coupled to the outer surface of the side surface part 12 or the balance maintaining part 14.
The wing tube 52 may be coupled to the edge of a wing member 51, and may be injected with air to provide the horizontal stability to the capsule body 10.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a capsule cover shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the capsule cover 20 may be formed of an opaque material to block sunlight, and may include a cover 201 and a tube frame 202. The capsule cover 20 may be coupled to the outer circumference of the balance maintaining part 14.
The cover 201 may be formed to have a size sufficient to cover the waterproof compartment 13.
The tube frame 202 may be a tube longitudinally formed in one direction in which an air nipple (not shown) is provided. Accordingly, the tube frame 202 may be provided in plurality to form an arc shape when air is injected therein, and may be attached to the cover 201 by a certain bonding member.
At this moment, the tube frame 202 may be disposed spaced from each other along the cover 201. Both end portions thereof may be coupled to both ends 203 and 204 of the center of the cover 201, respectively.
Thus, when air is injected into the tube frame 202, the capsule cover 20 may have a substantially a hemispherical shape.
For convenience of air injection, the plurality of tube frames 202 may communicate with each other such that the whole of the tube frames 202 can expand when one of the tube frames 202 is filled with air.
Both ends 203, 204 of the capsule cover 20 may be pivotably coupled to the outer circumference of the body capsule 10 by a coupling unit such as a snap button, respectively.
That is, when the tube frame 202 pivots in one direction about both ends 203, 204 of the capsule cover 20, the cover 201 located between the tube frames 202 may be folded, enabling opening/closing of the waterproof compartment 13.
A plurality of coupling units 24 which allows the edge of a capsule cover 20 to be coupled at a balance maintaining part 14 may be installed at a portion where the capsule cover 20 contacts the balance maintaining part 14 when a waterproof compartment is shut by the pivoting of the capsule cover 20.
Here, the coupling unit may be installed by selecting at least one of the units: a snap, a zipper, or a fastener. Classified into male and female 24 a, 24 b, the units thereof may be installed respectively in the capsule cover 20 and the balance maintaining part 14. In the drawing, male and female of a snap button are shown.
As described above, a survivor may be protected from external factors as storm, rain, snow, and sunlight through open and shut of a capsule cover 20.
FIG. 5 is a magnified view of ‘A’ shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, a window unit 21 may be disposed at one side of the capsule cover 20, and an open/close hole 22 that can be opened and closed may be disposed at the other side of the capsule cover 20.
The window unit 21 may be disposed in a cover 201, including a window 211 and a cover screen 212.
The window 211 may be formed of a transparent material which allows a survivor to observe the outside.
The cover screen 212 may be formed of the same material as the capsule 20, and may have a size sufficient to cover the whole of the window 211 and may be attached on the inner side of the cover 201 where a window 211 is formed by a certain bonding material.
Also, fixing members 212 a and 212 b that are coupled to each other may be disposed at a lower portion and an upper portion of the cover screen 212 to fix the cover screen 212 when the cover screen is folded up, respectively. In this case, the cover screen 212 may selectively cover the window 211.
The open/close hole 22 may be opened and closed by a fastenable member as a zipper, a snap button, or a fastener, which enables a survivor in the compartment 13 to allow rainwater to flow into the inside by opening the open/close hole 22 in a rainy weather (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
Furthermore, a drinkable water storing unit 23 for storing the rainwater received through the open/close hole 22 may be disposed at a lower portion of the capsule cover 20, that is, an upper portion of the balance maintaining part 14. The drinkable water storing unit 23 may be attached to a certain portion of the inside of the capsule body 10.
Also, the drinkable water storing unit 23 may includes a straw 23 a to allow a survivor to easily drink water. With the drinkable water storing unit 24, the survivor may store and drink rainwater by opening the open/close hole 22 in a rainy weather. Accordingly, even when a rescue is being delayed in a rainy or snowy weather, the survivor can avoid dehydration by drinking water periodically.
Hereinafter, the connector unit 30 may be connected in plurality to the outer circumference of the balance maintaining part 14, and may be spaced from each other (see FIG. 1).
Here, the connector unit 30 may include a string member 31 having a certain length and coupled to the outer circumference of the balance maintaining part 14 of the capsule body 10, and a connector 32 coupled to the end portion of the string member 31.
The connector 32 may be coupled to a connector for a life-saving jacket that is being typically used. Also, the plurality of the connector unit 30 may be configured to include at least one pair of male and female connectors 32.
Thus, the connector 32 may be easily connected to a typical life-saving jacket. When a plurality of life-saving capsules float in the water, the plurality of life-saving capsules may be coupled to each other such that a rescue team easily finds them.
Also, the aquatic life-saving capsule according to the embodiment of the present invention may be provided in a form of tube or seat. Thus, when air is fully discharged (deflated state), the aquatic life-saving capsule may be easily folded and stored in a portion of a life-saving jacket easily, and may be used together with a life-saving jacket also.
Hereinafter, a method for using the aquatic life-saving capsule according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 6 and 7 are views illustrating the use of the aquatic life-saving capsule according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A life-saving jacket connector 41 that can be coupled to the connector unit 30 of the life-saving capsule 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be provided, and a life-saving jacket 40 having a receiving part (not shown) may be provided at one side. The life-saving capsule 100 may be deflated and folded into the receiving part.
When the event of aquatic distress occurs, a user wearing the life-saving jacket 40 may inject air into the capsule body 10 and the capsule cover 20 to allow them to expand while floating in the water by the life-saving jacket. Thereafter, a user may fill a certain amount of water in the waterproof compartment 13, and then may board the waterproof compartment 13 as shown in FIG. 6. In this case, the weights of a user and water will be added to the capsule body 10 to allow the life-saving capsule 100 to be maintained at the state of being sunk in the water to a certain degree.
That is, since a survivor can be located in the waterproof compartment 13 while being isolated from the outside, the survivor can wait for a rescue while maintaining the body temperature. While the rescue is being delayed, the survivor may wait while appropriately opening/closing of the capsule cover 20 and using the drinkable water storing unit 23.
When a survivor needs to relieve himself/herself, as shown in FIG. 7, the survivor may couple the connector 41 of the life-saving jacket 40 which the survivor is wearing to the connector unit 30 and then may come out of the waterproof compartment 13. After relieving himself/herself, the survivor may again enter the waterproof compartment 13.
Accordingly, even when a rescue is being delayed, a survivor can easily maintain the body temperature and drink water, thereby considerably reducing the risk of hypothermia and dehydration and the possibility of death.
In addition, when a plurality of survivors are in distress, the survivors may connect the connector unit 30 to each other, allowing a rescue team to easily recognize the survivors.
Hereinafter, a modified embodiment of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the modified embodiment, compared to the first embodiment, a capsule body 10 may include only a bottom part 11 and a side surface part 12. In addition, a detailed description of components identical to those of the first embodiment will be omitted herein.
Since the capsule body 10 includes only the bottom part 11 and the side surface part 12, the bottom part 11 may be formed to have an area sufficient to absorb a shock applied in the horizontal direction, and the side surface part 12 may be configured similarly to that of the first embodiment.
A capsule cover 20 may be configured similarly to that of the first embodiment, but both ends thereof may be coupled to the side surface part 12 be openable and closable about both ends thereof. Also the connector unit 30 may be coupled to the outer circumference of the side surface part 12.
Since a method of using the aquatic life-saving capsule according to the modified embodiment is similar to that of the method of using the aquatic life-saving capsule according to the first embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.
The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The aquatic life-saving capsules according to embodiments of the present invention can be manufactured at a lower cost by partially applying typical aquatic life-saving products which are being produced. Also, the aquatic life-saving capsule may be provided as a life-saving tool of a new concept, allowing a survivor in aquatic distress to easily manipulate the aquatic life-saving capsule.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. An aquatic life-saving capsule comprising:

a capsule body comprising a bottom part; a side surface part coupled to an upper portion of the bottom part along an edge of the bottom part, the capsule body to form a waterproof compartment allowing a user board, together with the bottom part, by being positioned longitudinal in water after expanding when air is injected therein; and a balance maintaining part coupled to a lower portion of the side surface part, to expand, when air is injected therein to keep a balance of the waterproof compartment, the balance maintaining part having a boarding hole formed in a central portion, with a outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the side surface part, in communication with the waterproof compartment; and

a capsule cover comprising a cover to cover the waterproof compartment; a plurality of tube frames to expand, when air is injected therein, with being attached to the cover to be spaced apart from each other and with both ends of the tube frames being coupled to each other at both ends of a center of the cover, respectively, wherein the both ends of the tube frames are pivotably coupled to an outer circumference of the balance maintaining part, and open or close the waterproof compartment according to a pivoting direction.

16. The aquatic life-saving capsule according to claim 15, further comprising:

at least one coupling unit installed on a portion where the capsule cover is in contact with the capsule body, to couple the capsule cover to the capsule body.

17. The aquatic life-saving capsule according to claim 15, further comprising:

a life-saving jacket comprising a connector for the life-saving jacket and a receiving part configured to foldably receive the capsule body and the capsule cover deflated therein; and

a connector unit comprising a plurality of connectors disposed at an upper portion of the capsule body, at least one of the connectors coupled to the connector for the life-saving jacket.

18. The aquatic life-saving capsule according to claim 17, wherein the connector unit comprises at least one pair of male and female connectors.

19. The aquatic life-saving capsule according to claim 15, further comprising:

a window disposed in the capsule cover to enable a user to observe the outside from the inside; and

a cover screen provided in the window to selectively cover the window.

20. The aquatic life-saving capsule according to claim 15, further comprising:

an open/close hole disposed in the capsule cover to receive rainwater in rainy weather; and

a drinkable water storing unit disposed at a lower portion of the capsule cover to store rainwater flowing in through the open/close hole.